amorphous-creature

[amorphous-creature]

*Bangs on skin*

Let. Me. OUT!

[amorphous-creature]

Yo what? Does she think that theriform animals don't have emotion, memories, and sentience to varying degrees? Harassed dogs will bite. A cat won't let you invade it's space if it doesn't want you to. Crows will remember your face, tell its friends about you, and either attack you or bring you gifts depending on your reputation. The only thing that would let whatever come at it with no thoughts is a rock.

If you uwuify my nonhuman experience, I will tear you to shreds.

Normalize being wild and feral in this community. We don’t have to be cute and innocent.

[amorphous-creature]

Flying via levitation. Being a shapeshifter that heralds from a place of zero gravity, most of my forms can fly via wings or levitation, as that mode of transportation feels natural. And having that through levitation would ease that need to fly, without wings that may feel euphoric in the moment, but become dysphoric when I'm supposed to be shifted into a form that doesn't have them.

🪽Kin Question of the Day #23🪽

Because we know that all alterhuman and 'kin would wish for shapeshifting as a power, you don't get to choose that for this question.

What superpower (not shapeshifting) would help you feel more comfortable with yourself as your kintype(s)?

(Please share whether you want a reply or not, as I like to engage with others and will likely reblog/reply if you don't say anything that lets me know not to.)

[amorphous-creature]

You have my permission! Anyone else too~

Last night I had a wonderful dream, there was a magical forest that had a barrier that prevented the entry of humans. The only way to find and enter it was if you weren't human. Similar to tales of the feywilds, in which there are pockets of land that subtly transport you to their dimension.

I was in my human body when I got lost in the cusp of this forest. Beyond the barrier, but not yet fully in the magic forest. I was lost and scared. I was sick of my human body and I had run away from society of desperation to feel like myself. Something in my soul guided me in this direction in the process.

Someone with the body of a human, but the ears and antlers of a deer, wearing cloven gloves, found me. They comforted and welcomed me towards the town inside the forest.

Right away I was brought to an immigration building. There they read my soul energy and logged by information to the census. I was immediately provided a wearable, articulate tail that was somewhere between a fluffy cat tail, and a fox tail. Selected by the readings of my soul energy. I was told these were temporary augmentations to help ease my dysphoria and connect me to my soul while I adapted to the forest's magic.

Apparently the forest has the ability to make anyone's appearance match their species.

As I was getting acquainted with the town, I met various creatures, all in different stages of transformation. Deer, tigers, armadillos, wolves, flamingos, kobolds, hybrids, cryptids. Creatures with natural colors. Creatures with bright, saturated fur.

Before long, I noticed my ears were replaced with black, silky, cat-shaped ears. If I concentrated enough, I could change what they looked like. Just like how I knew I should as a shapeshifter.

Humans weren't allowed to visit the forest, but for those who still loved their human friends and family, we were allowed to leave the forest to visit them at any time (of course disguised as a human). It felt so wonderful, finally being on my way to my true self. Surrounded by others who were the same.

[amorphous-creature]

Last night I had a wonderful dream, there was a magical forest that had a barrier that prevented the entry of humans. The only way to find and enter it was if you weren't human. Similar to tales of the feywilds, in which there are pockets of land that subtly transport you to their dimension.

I was in my human body when I got lost in the cusp of this forest. Beyond the barrier, but not yet fully in the magic forest. I was lost and scared. I was sick of my human body and I had run away from society of desperation to feel like myself. Something in my soul guided me in this direction in the process.

Someone with the body of a human, but the ears and antlers of a deer, wearing cloven gloves, found me. They comforted and welcomed me towards the town inside the forest.

Right away I was brought to an immigration building. There they read my soul energy and logged by information to the census. I was immediately provided a wearable, articulate tail that was somewhere between a fluffy cat tail, and a fox tail. Selected by the readings of my soul energy. I was told these were temporary augmentations to help ease my dysphoria and connect me to my soul while I adapted to the forest's magic.

Apparently the forest has the ability to make anyone's appearance match their species.

As I was getting acquainted with the town, I met various creatures, all in different stages of transformation. Deer, tigers, armadillos, wolves, flamingos, kobolds, hybrids, cryptids. Creatures with natural colors. Creatures with bright, saturated fur.

Before long, I noticed my ears were replaced with black, silky, cat-shaped ears. If I concentrated enough, I could change what they looked like. Just like how I knew I should as a shapeshifter.

Humans weren't allowed to visit the forest, but for those who still loved their human friends and family, we were allowed to leave the forest to visit them at any time (of course disguised as a human). It felt so wonderful, finally being on my way to my true self. Surrounded by others who were the same.

[amorphous-creature]

I miss my teeth. I miss my claws. I miss my tails. I can only whimper to mourn their absence.

[amorphous-creature]

Bingo

Elaboration for the fun of it below

Transpecies: I'm highly aware of my physical humanity. Though I believe I've always been a shapeshifter, I'm still physically and socially perceived human. If given the opportunity to safely transition in those senses to my real species, I would.

Nonhuman identifying: Am a cosmic blob from an extradimensional plane. Not human.

Otherkin: Umbrella term I identify with.

Mythical kins: Quite literally a shapeshifter. Aside from that I have morphs that are kitsune, dragons, taurs, fantasy hybrids, demons, werewolves, etc.

Psychological identity: I experience phantom limbs, and have an identity rooted in desire. Acknowledgement that regardless of any spiritual involvement, the "I think therefor I am" is still solid enough foundation for my identity.

Mental shifts: Mental shifts and shapeshifting are mutually correlated to me. Primarily, my schema modes can cause me to shapeshift, summoning phantom limbs and animal mannerisms. But sometimes shapeshifting based on environment and stimuli can cause me to shift between schema modes.

Quads: I'm far too out of shape and low endurance for quads. Plus the imbalance between the length of my arms and the length of my legs is dysphoric.

Doesn't shift: I'm a shapeshifter, being able to shift is my whole identity.

Extinct kin: I have no prevalent extinct morph. The only exception being my cyborg velociraptormorph. Which due to heavy augmentation, and the presence of fur rather than scales or feathers makes it a "velociraptor" more so in a mythical sense.

Alterhumanity caused by autism: Animalistic vocal stims, physical stims that require phantom limbs, non traditional methods of communication, a feeling of otherness from being outcast by peers... so yeah.

Zoanthropy: I wouldn't feel so bitter about being stuck as human if I thought I could actually transform. The closest thing I've experienced was when I was a pre-teen, I had a delusional hope (that I acknowledged as delusional) that perhaps if I stared at the moon long enough, one day I'd unlock some kind of transformation power. I knew it was pointless, but hoped that I'd be wrong.

Spiritual identity: As much as I believe my identity has psychological reasons. A small part of me feels those psychological origins might not have been as strong if I weren't secretly a shapeshifter soul, misplaced into the wrong body. Or a shapeshifter who sacrificed their life and ability to be reborn as human.

Canine identity: I have fox, wolf, and other canine morphs.

Fictionkin: I am exclusively a shapeshifter of non fictional origins. I may shapeshift into fictional characters, but I never feel as though I "am" those characters. I use the term fictionkith instead.

Therian: I prefer theriomythic, but nearly all my morphs are animalistic. So I vibe with the Therian label.

Endel: I personally do not experience delusions.

Alterhuman system: I'm a singlet.

Holothere: I'm physically human, I can not take comfort in believing otherwise when my inability to physically shapeshift is a constant source of dysphoria.

Vaguetype: I'm a cosmic blob from an extradimensional plane. My base form is a species that does not exist, and changes form on a whim based on emotions. There is no record in folktale of any shapeshifters of my origin. I am an animal, but I'm not organic. I am a concept, but I'm an independent entity. The terms this community has to describe me are vague generalizations of my experience. But my understanding of myself is anything but vague.

Vakalmorphy: Based on OP's description of this, this is key to how I've been able to identify my species, as well as any form I've taken on. I'm choosing to interpret "non-delusional hallucinations or supernatural phenomena" as phantom limbs, and the instinct to use those limbs. Plus the "supernatural phenomena" part of being a shapeshifter affects my sex and gender identity.

Were-creature identity: I do have a werewolf morph.

Uses gear: I do not own gear that would be species affirming, though I am interested in obtaining some.

LGBTQ+: Bisexual, Cis+

Alterhuman headmates: I'm a singlet.

Made an alterhuman/nonhuman bingo card!

Please give credit if you use! (Also just @ me in general if you use it at all! I'm curious to see the results of other people/creatures! :) )

This will also be posted on Pinterest and if given permission on both the therian and alterhuman amino :)

(Post is now updated! I did a typo on the last square. It should've been "headmates" not "headmasters" feel free to re-do it! )

[amorphous-creature]

Naaaur, I'm not supposed to have soreness for extended periods of time in limbs I shouldn't even have.

Pain is a part of life, and to shapeshift into organic beings means having muscles that are prone to exhaustion from extended discomfort. I'm chill with that, but it's partly why I involuntarily return to my true form at the end of the day. My body made of void and stardust, weightless and malleable, doesn't have organic material that can ache. To be organic and experience soreness for an extended period of time would drain anyone's energy. And my true form is literally meant for recovering the energy I need to shapeshift.

I wouldn't need to sleep an average of 10 hours a day instead of maybe 8 if I could return to my true form to properly recuperate.

[amorphous-creature]

Shapeshifter Saturday! Masterpost of my forms here.

Cougartaurmorph

My cougartaur form is one of both convenience and comfort for me. I'm 5'5'', and very flexible. I have a messy dark mane of hair from the top of my head, down my spine, thinning out a bit as it tapers out after my second set of shoulder blades. I do have two ribcages, but all my other organs, I only have one set of. I can rear up onto my back legs to stand around 7-8ft tall, it's great for reaching things on high shelves. I get to run at the speed and ease of a four legged animal, while having the accessibility of arms to carry or grab things with.

Overall, this form can feel comfy and freeing, existing solely to bring me ease when my mind yearns to be both quadruped and biped. Relaxed, yet untamed, I come across as laid back and self indulgent. I do not adorn myself with any clothes or accessories, feeling as though it either weighs me down, or restricts my movement, chafing against fur in an uncomfortable way.

While I knew my bottom half was a cougar, it was tough figuring out what was going on with the top half. I still felt cattish, but I wasn't sure if it was mostly human, or a regular cougar head on an anthro torso. But when I saw a monster design with a cat face, but a messy mane of hair, I was hit with recognition, and realized that's what my top half was like.

[amorphous-creature]

I draw portraits of my forms to help me convey myself. Some feel well enough and euphoric to see drawn in my style. Others are enough to satisfy the need to portray myself, but feel wrong as I am incapable of detailing the subtle things, the textures, the proportions, etc. Like the difference between drawing a human character vs drawing a human still-life.

is it weird to get species dysphoria from incorrectly or stylistically drawing your kintype? idk i feel pretty isolated about it.

my art style does not cater to the way my dragonself looks, and it makes me so uncomfortable and makes me want to completely quit drawing entirely. nothing i draw feels like me enough.

the dysphoria is also gender related btw. every time i draw my dragonself i keep thinking i look feminine for some reason and that makes me more dysphoric.

[amorphous-creature]

Shapeshifter Saturday! Masterpost of my forms here.

Cyborg Velociraptormorph

I had sketched this one a while back, but I'm happy to finally put color to it! In this form I'm mostly robotic with a small amount of organic bits covered in silver, white-tipped fur. My metal is black matte stainless steel. I have a two segment visor over my face display and jaw. My legs have a powerful spring force that gives me great jumping and kick strength. My shoulders and thighs have speakers on them that can play any song I have heard before. My forearms have small barrels in which I can shoot and manipulate compressed energy. My LEDs can be any color I want, but most often they are hue shift rainbow. While I typically see in the visible light spectrum, I can use infrared heat vision, and UV colors too. As I am still at my core a shapeshifter, I do not require charging or a power source outside of the food or sleep I usually need.

Despite my body having sharp bits, and strength capable of extreme damage, I'm fairly gentle in this form. Often showing friendliness and curiosity, with a love for play and teasing. I vocalize mostly in clicks, chirps, and screeching, and also use body movement in small dances to communicate. I can understand and speak any language with a robotic AI voice through my speakers. This form can also fly with jet wings for long distances. Due to the size of them though, they usually aren't out, and only shapeshifted into existence when I need them.

[amorphous-creature]

I've no clue what shape or color my soul would be, but to be fair, being a shapeshifter with an amorphous base form, my own body isn't even consistent. But this made me want to consider it.

My best guess is a glowing white orb made of light, kinda like my eyes. I mean my eyes, nose, and mouth gotta glow somehow when my body is made exclusively of void and stardust. So I wouldn't be surprised if that was cause of my soul.

I feel like there's a lot of people in the world who don't know even the basic shape of their own souls.

I might not know every angle, but my soul is better known to me than my reflection. Maybe that's why the face in the mirror is so jarring.

[amorphous-creature]

Reblogging this information cause I'm new to the nonhuman community, and didn't know any of this stuff. So I wanna share so that more people can see this post with the response.

P-shifters: why the term needs to die

I welcome the growing acceptance of "weird" or "scary" folk in the nonhuman and alterhuman communities: the factkin, the object- and conceptkin and of course, physical nonhumans. I myself am a werewolf holothere, most of our system are holotheres and I interact with other physical nonhumans on a regular basis.

But recently, I have been observing a push towards the acceptance and "reclaim" of the word p-shifter/p-shifting - and this is worrying me. I want to write an elaborate post, shedding light on the roots and origins of this term and why I think it isn't a good choice to label yourself this way. I will back my claims up as good as I can, but there are quite obviously no studies on this and the general amount of archived sources is also quite low, because it is in the nature of toxic and manipulative behaviour to happen in the privacy of (long gone) servers or in DMs. So, I will have to resort to use personal experiences and anecdotes as my main sources - that's not ideal, I am aware.

Also, two things before you reblog, comment or otherwise agree/disagree with me: 1) none of this is at all about the validity and subjective realness of individual experiences, only about this specific term being used; and 2) please make sure you read this carefully and wholly. If I find you just try to twist my words, I will just ignore and block you. I also mean exactly what I say, there is no need to look for an "undertone" or "hidden opinions".

All of my sources will be linked at the end in chronological order of usage. Footnotes are numbered in [brackets], scroll to the end to find them.

1) Roots, original usage and meaning

Pinpointing the exact time at which the term was coined is pretty much impossible, but the earliest mentions I found go back to the early 2000s - namely, there is Swiftpaws Real guide to P-shifting from 2004 which mentions the term p-shifting in a way that suggests it has been more or less widely known at that time. Acoording to the alterhuman wiki, the term originated alongside the therian-community in the early 2000s, even on the same website as they did (but it doesn't mention which website that was). Based on what I've observed with my own eyes on this website [1] and backed up by various forum posts I found, the term p-shifting always referred to those who claimed the following things: 1) They have literal, tangible, objectively Real [2] physical shapeshifting abilities, 2) they do not experience delusions at all [3]. Finding old posts by p-shifters is almost impossible, I know a lot of blogs no longer exist, so I have to go off my memory here and also what @a-dragons-journal (hope you don't mind the ping!) has talked about on their blog many times, but I also know that a lot of them claimed to be able to teach others how to shift [4], which usually resulted in pack-like structures, with a few elite leaders who also functioned as "teachers". Another claim I have seen many times is how they had to prepare for a "war" or straight-up "the end of the world", but I have to admit, the last few points are not something every p-shifter I've seen talks about.

To hopefully provide some solid proof, have qoutes from a few self-proclaimed p-shifters:

by @/thefirstfamilypack: "We are not people with lycanthropy [CLCZ], we are actual physical shifters. This is a totally different community than those who have clinical lycanthropy or mentally "identify" with someone that's not "human" such as otherkins. We never claimed to be that, that's a whole different thing." "If you don't have the genes for it then sorry you're not a shifter."

by @/h-micideinthemirror (apparently deactivated, found a reblog of a post by them): "I'm so fucking tired of seeing therians talk shit about actual nonhumans [...] I'm not delusional [...] I'm just a person, who happens to be a wolf."

by @/harloqui: "However, I 100% agree with the message towards delusional alterhumans. [...] What shifters can do you cannot [...]"

by @/stonedlycanthrope (as a reply to an ask about how they knew they aren't experiencing delsusions): "I had 2 friends tell me the exact same thing [...] I had shifted in my sleep and [...] she stepped on my tail trying to get over me is what she told me." -> this is exactly what I mean when I say they make claims their shifting is Real.

There are so so many more, just go to thefirstfamilypack's blog and dive deeper from there. What you will find is the exact same rethoric I talked about, over and over again: "We are ACTUAL nonhumans, we are NOT delusional, we can ACTUALLY shift, etc etc" - I hope you also noticed the casual arrogancy towards otherkin and therians.

In conclusion: p-shifting originally referred to tangible, Real physical shifting, while vocally, aggressively excluding delusional folk and looking down on them (and otherkin as well).

I might add more on how exactly folk were hurt in these packs later on, but currently don't have the energy for that. I believe outlining the inherently probelmatic stances of the og shifter communities should be enough to support my point for the time being.

2) Why you can't reclaim the term

Now let's get to the actual point of this post - the push towards reclaiming the term p-shifter. By definition, reclaiming a term describes "a word that was at one time pejorative but has been brought back into acceptable usage, usually starting within its original target, i.e. the communities that were pejoratively described by that word [...]" - in simpler terms, the community that was originally negatively targeted by the term in question can reclaim it by using it in positive way to describe themselves. This is by definition not possible with the term p-shifter: in order for delusional folk to reclaim this term, it would have had to be a deragatory word to describe delusional folk, which it never was. Yes, the community looked down on delusional people, but the term itself actively excluded CLCZ and similar beings. Generally speaking, the term was never a slur used for anyone, it was always a positive and self-choosen term, created by the community for themselves. You cannot reclaim this term by definition.

"But what if we just change the definition to something positive, so anyone can use it?"

That is not a good idea for several reasons. I want to specifically quote @/a-dragons-journal and @who-is-page (hope you don't mind the ping!) for this one:

a-dragons-journal: "[...]using the word is still making it sound like you're making a physical claim. [...] This is admittedly not the best parallel [...] but it's a little like trying to "reclaim" the word TERF by changing it to mean something somehwat similar but ultimately different, and then being surprised people assume you're a transphobe and treat you as such."

who-is-page: "[...] You can't erase the history of the term [...] and the ways in which it's been used (and, most importantly, continues to be used!) to hurt others. [...] You can't reclaim [...] the terms "anti-otherkin", or the zeta symbol [...] because they're still being used by the cummunities who originally coined them to mean what they were intended to mean. [...] There is no way to seperate the people who are 'reclaiming' it and those who are just... Using it. [...] Also, thinking more on it, it's kind of fucked up for someone to try and steal another communitie's terms and forcibly redefine them? Like, we critcize that all the time in the otherkin and therian communities, and that's not exactly a one-way street. [...]"

Please take the time to fully read both of the posts, I have linked them below with everything else!

But they both really get the point accross in my opinion.

I hope now anyone can see why anyone should be wary of those who use p-shifter as a term: either they are completely unaware of the terms history and thus, should really do more research before advocating for the usage of a term they know nothing about. Or, and that's the worse option, they are aware of everything I listed above and either secretly agree with it, or just don't care. And I don't know about you, but I don't want to be associated with beings who advocate for a term that has an inherently harmful, ableist history and is STILL actively used in that way.

Calling me ableist for refusing to accept the usage of this term is absolutely pathetic.

P-shifters have harmed and continue to harm delusional folk, spit down on them, disrespect them and put themselves above them. Why on EARTH would advocating for the usage and acceptance of this term be a positive thing? How would that help?

It won't.

------------------------------------

Footnotes

[1] I joined the community roughly in 2016, most of the posts I saw back then on p-shifters and by p-shifters were from around that or a few years older.

[2] When I write "Real" or "Reality" with a capital R, I am referring to the shared reality all people experience. Unlike subjective reality, you (technically) need to provide proof to claims you make that refer to Reality.

[3] Moreso, they often held very ableistic beliefs, spitting down on "the crazy ones", aka. folk with delusions. They put themselves above them, claiming they were "actually shapeshifting" and not "just delusional".

[4] The rest usually claimed it was based on DNA. I don't know percantages on this, but from what I have seen, I would say at least half of them claimed to be able to teach (or claimed they learned from someone, which supports the same stance from a different pov).

Sources

[amorphous-creature]

What a lucky first sight upon browsing the tag for me. I'll attempt to be there!

Therian/Otherkin/Alterhuman Meetup at AnthrOhio

Originally I had a panel planned but as that was canceled (sad) I will be hosting a meet-up at a nearby restaurant to the hotel!

Location: Bareburger

Date: Friday, April 18

Time: 4pm

No fursuits, but you're welcome to wear tails and gear similar! This will be an all ages event, but minors PLEASE have a chaperone present. Adults- be respectful and keep the conversation family-friendly.

Pls let me know if you plan on coming so I can let the restaurant know a head-count

If you have any questions feel free to send me an ask/dm me!

[amorphous-creature]

Shapeshifter Saturday! Masterpost of my forms here.

Domestic-Longhairmorph

This is my simplest form, being just a longhaired housecat. My coat type is chocolate mackerel tabby, with tuxedo style white patching. It is my only form without mythical/fantastical elements to my appearance, including the inability to talk. But I can make cat sounds and talk with buttons if provided with some. I'm still a shapeshifter though, so I retain my intelligence, but mentally I'll be in pet regression. I don't eat kibble though, I demand a spoiled, iron rich diet of raw red meat. Or whatever human junkfood I can get into.

I shift into this form usually if I feel physically affectionate, and want to be pet, or otherwise want a moment to escape from societal responsibilities, but still enjoy the comfortable luxury of human amenities. Plus it's funny use the form to mess with people who aren't aware I'm not a literal cat. I also shift into this form when being affectionate towards other cats, considering myself one of them in that moment.

This is also one of my oldest known morphs, aware of if since I was a pre-teen. Though visually speaking regardless of age, whenever I was in this form, I was always a fully grown cat rather than a kitten.

[amorphous-creature]

I feel a large cattaur morph becoming a common involuntary morph. Pretty sure it's a cougar lower body. I just can't tell what's going on with my upper half. Less commonly I've also been getting naga morph shifts.

[amorphous-creature]

Springtime my beloved. The frequent windy days ruffle my fur and feathers so nicely. I love it so much. I can't fly, but it let's me pretend for just a moment.